So, last weekend I got my center stand installed - best farkle on the bike so far ...

And today the 15mm raising links arrived and I got them installed:

I installed just the links, then did a short test ride. I might imagine it but I think it falls just ever so slightly quicker into corners. Not a big difference, but I think it's noticeable. I'll know more when I have a chance to go out and ride my favorite routes.

After that I moved the front forks down so that they sit flush with the upper fork clamp now. That gives me about 4mm more in the front and 15mm in the rear. Long term we'll see whether I'm still dragging the foot pegs. Probably - though just a bit later and maybe not as often.

But one thing is certain: I'm very happy that I bought only the 15mm raising links.

The rear wheel is still about 10mm off the ground when the bike is on the standard Roadie center stand, it doesn't lean much further on the side stand and I didn't notice any other issues with this.

The next step will be to get the front suspension upgraded. Want to look into getting Traxxion AK-20 fork cartridges installed. Then have the seat re-worked to be about 20mm higher and more comfy, get some Pivot Pegz with rubber tops (heavier - might reduce vibration just a bit more than the standard pegs without the rubber thingy in), install the heated grips which sit in the garage now for 4 months already, get either some Bark Buster Storm handguards or the ones from the Tiger 1050, look into luggage. This bike seems to really get a royal treatment with me ...

Matt finish paint is all fine as long as you don't have to patch it, polish it, or touch it up. The sheen is impossible to match. But it has a nice look to it. For the little bit of painted finish on these bikes it's just easier to keep up a gloss finish.

I'm still toying with trying to match the 'venom yellow' that comes on the '12 roadie. Colorite doesn't list it so Triumph must not have licensed it or authorized them to match it. Could probably get a custom mix really close, but would need a swatch/sample to give to the mixer.

So, last weekend I got my center stand installed - best farkle on the bike so far ...

And today the 15mm raising links arrived and I got them installed:

I installed just the links, then did a short test ride. I might imagine it but I think it falls just ever so slightly quicker into corners. Not a big difference, but I think it's noticeable. I'll know more when I have a chance to go out and ride my favorite routes.

After that I moved the front forks down so that they sit flush with the upper fork clamp now. That gives me about 4mm more in the front and 15mm in the rear. Long term we'll see whether I'm still dragging the foot pegs. Probably - though just a bit later and maybe not as often.

But one thing is certain: I'm very happy that I bought only the 15mm raising links.

The rear wheel is still about 10mm off the ground when the bike is on the standard Roadie center stand, it doesn't lean much further on the side stand and I didn't notice any other issues with this.

The next step will be to get the front suspension upgraded. Want to look into getting Traxxion AK-20 fork cartridges installed. Then have the seat re-worked to be about 20mm higher and more comfy, get some Pivot Pegz with rubber tops (heavier - might reduce vibration just a bit more than the standard pegs without the rubber thingy in), install the heated grips which sit in the garage now for 4 months already, get either some Bark Buster Storm handguards or the ones from the Tiger 1050, look into luggage. This bike seems to really get a royal treatment with me ...

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Was the main reason you installed the raising links to get more clearance when leaning?

I bought them from Lust Racing. But there are other vendors on eBay for example. Lust Racing was just the one I found and they had a size I actually liked (I didn't want to go too high because of side and center stand issues, I also like the handling of the bike as is fairly well, but wanted just that bit more ground clearance).

And don't get me wrong: from the very limited test riding I did since I installed them I neither know whether I will scrape pegs later (though I should, given that the rear is 15mm higher now) or whether it has any effect on handling (I guess it will, but not much).

I'm happy with that change at the moment, how it will work out long term and whether there are any adverse effects, I can't tell yet. I might know a bit more after the coming weekend as we have a 700 mile weekend trip planned.

Have started setting up the bike for light touring, making it more comfy for the wifey.
First I modified the pillion seat by grinding out the middle of it into more of a dish-pan shape while leaving the front full height since it slopes pretty good to the front. Then added a layer of 1" softer foam in the same shape as the new seat top profile. Finally made a new cover out of some carbon-fiber-look vinyl that is BLACK. WTF were they thinking putting a gray cover on the passenger seat anyway??

Next I got a rear rack plate from CJ Designs in WI and mounted my Seahorse box I took off the Versys when I sold it. I kept the side boxes too as they are all setup for Happy Trails racks so I have a new rack set coming for the Tiger. Total expenditure for full pannier and topbox - about $400.

She likes a backrest and I just couldn't stomach those cute givi boxes on an adventure bike, so I made a backrest pad out of 3/8" solid core cabinet plywood, added a 1" peice of the seat foam, and covered with the same vinyl as the seat. The angle surprised me, I had to have her sit on the bike and then set the angle of the backrest so when she leans back it sits square to her back. The support bracket is 2" aluminum angle. And I added strap loops for a bungee net or to strap a roli-bag or whatever on top of the box. Great place to put layers or extra clothes you peel off when it gets hot here. The grab handles are still fully functional.

I also did a bit of tail-tidy to get rid of some of the bracketry back there. Trimmed off the fender below the license plate and shortened the reflector bracket. The side reflectors had to go, too clap-trap and I can add reflective tape to the boxes if johnny-law doesn't like it the way it is.

Spotted this at my dealer last day. I think the color looks good on the XC

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So after several trips to my local dealer to gawk, quibble and drool over the black XC, I finally paid my money and said I will pick it up in a week. Next sat roles around and there is my sexy new black xc, plated with my chosen bits and pieces on it sitting out the fornt....right next to one of these green meanies fresh outta the crate! They look awesome in the flesh....still love my balck one, but what a cruel trick to play on a guy!

Have started setting up the bike for light touring, making it more comfy for the wifey.
First I modified the pillion seat by grinding out the middle of it into more of a dish-pan shape while leaving the front full height since it slopes pretty good to the front. Then added a layer of 1" softer foam in the same shape as the new seat top profile. Finally made a new cover out of some carbon-fiber-look vinyl that is BLACK. WTF were they thinking putting a gray cover on the passenger seat anyway??

Next I got a rear rack plate from CJ Designs in WI and mounted my Seahorse box I took off the Versys when I sold it. I kept the side boxes too as they are all setup for Happy Trails racks so I have a new rack set coming for the Tiger. Total expenditure for full pannier and topbox - about $400.

She likes a backrest and I just couldn't stomach those cute givi boxes on an adventure bike, so I made a backrest pad out of 3/8" solid core cabinet plywood, added a 1" peice of the seat foam, and covered with the same vinyl as the seat. The angle surprised me, I had to have her sit on the bike and then set the angle of the backrest so when she leans back it sits square to her back. The support bracket is 2" aluminum angle. And I added strap loops for a bungee net or to strap a roli-bag or whatever on top of the box. Great place to put layers or extra clothes you peel off when it gets hot here. The grab handles are still fully functional.

I also did a bit of tail-tidy to get rid of some of the bracketry back there. Trimmed off the fender below the license plate and shortened the reflector bracket. The side reflectors had to go, too clap-trap and I can add reflective tape to the boxes if johnny-law doesn't like it the way it is.

Factory engine guards and a center stand are on their way too.

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I love the carbon vinyl seat. Where did you get the material and who stitched it up for you? Looks amazing. I hope your partner likes sitting there.

I love the carbon vinyl seat. Where did you get the material and who stitched it up for you? Looks amazing. I hope your partner likes sitting there.

JG

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Here in the county seat (Orange County) is Santa Ana, some call it little Tijuana and is a mecca of all things cars. On main street are at least a handfull of upholstery shops, as well as AA Foam and Fabric. They have every kind of upholstery material known to man.

Seriously, I have been doing these kinds of projects for years, I picked up that vinyl some time ago to do a seat mod on my last bike but the original seat cover went back on, so it was left over.

And I am an old wooden boat sailor from the northwest and pretty good with a sewing machine. Only I don't sew clothes, but outdoor gear, home and auto upholstery, sails, etc. strictly as a hobby.

Thank you for your interest and compliments. I'm happy with the way it turned out. If ol' lady doesn't like it we can just do it over.

Next I got a rear rack plate from CJ Designs in WI and mounted my Seahorse box I took off the Versys when I sold it. I kept the side boxes too as they are all setup for Happy Trails racks so I have a new rack set coming for the Tiger. Total expenditure for full pannier and topbox - about $400.

Didn't know if anyone had put one of these on a Tiger yet. I don't want a crazy loud pipe, but I like the looks of this one.

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Congrats on the new Tiger. I have a white 11 XC and love it. As for exhausts, I put on an MTC exhaust. I really like it. The quality is good and they have great customer service. It was shipped to my door(England to Canada) in a week and a half for $420.00. You get to choose the can length, finish and end cap. Make sure to ask for an extra set of quiet baffles. I found it a bit loud in it's stock form. They shipped me some quieter baffles at no extra charge. The baffles are really easy to remove or swap out. A friend of mine put a Leo Vince on his KLR. The build quality seems good and its pretty quiet.

Congrats on the new Tiger. I have a white 11 XC and love it. As for exhausts, I put on an MTC exhaust. I really like it. The quality is good and they have great customer service. It was shipped to my door(England to Canada) in a week and a half for $420.00. You get to choose the can length, finish and end cap. Make sure to ask for an extra set of quiet baffles. I found it a bit loud in it's stock form. They shipped me some quieter baffles at no extra charge. The baffles are really easy to remove or swap out. A friend of mine put a Leo Vince on his KLR. The build quality seems good and its pretty quiet.

Hey E-town Just a quick Hi , proud new owner of a 2012 orange XC out in Ft. Saskatchewan. Thought it would be good to touch base as you apparantly are researching improvements etc.
Just in the process of setting mine up . Going to go with the stock exhaust for now. Shooting to install my SW Motech crash bars, top rack, and GIVI trekker top box this weekend I hope (yard work ). Going with triumph skid plate, heated grips and fog lights. Ordered a Giant loop great basin soft luggage system to try in front of the Givi instead of side cases for now. 800km service tomorrow . Man I'm loving this bike! Hoping to head to the Kootenays over Gray creek pass with it in a couple weeks.
Cheers, Gary